1146 replies to this topic

[vaughn1]

excellent progress as usual hugh, take your time with the front and all will be fine.

[hughJ]

Thank you Ben, Tom and vaughn1. I did 'persuade' with my simple tools. I am going to take it very slowly vaughn1 - just an hour today and then went back to removing that pitch from the rear floor. I got the front panels down from the attic. I think they have been there a year. They are pattern parts from M-Machine. But they can be persuaded!!





I had to cut more from the inner wings at the front. Having got the new front panel down I could see that part of what I had left was part of the front panel. But hey ho! I have to get it bolted in before I really get the wing fitted and I have to have the bonnet on too. I've misplaced the bolts but would have to replace anyway. But I've started. Had to cut out little bits at the top of the wing and do a wee bit of reshaping with my hammer. I also had to cut away a bit at the bottom of the apex panel.

Well I've started what I've been really dreading.

Fettling along

Hugh

[Carlos W]

Wow Hugh, I'll have to get myself into the garage and play catchup!

You're doing so well!

[minimuk]

Please do not rush it Hugh, wait till you get the front panel on first,.....once the front panel is on all falls into place,the slam panel needs to sit in the right position to make sure that the bonnet lip lines up with the wings and front panel and all is centered,........ what you cut away now, might not be needed.

Edited by minimuk, 14 February 2012 - 09:47 PM.

[Shifty]

Yup!!

- Fit the doors and get the gaps right at the back.

- Fit the front panel(loosely bolted)

-Fit the bonnet to give a nice gap at the back and sitting centre

-Clamp the a-panels on to give a nice gap to the door.

-Drop the wing on and see where it fits or doesn't

-Move the front panel so it sits centre to the wings.

Chances are it now looks like nothing will ever fit!!

On pattern wings, the return lip(that sits on the inner wing) is usually too big and needs a little grinding away to get the wing to bonnet gap right. Also the return lip where it sits against the scuttle will need some work.

A good template for the bonnet gap is an old plastic number plate!!

Tap/bend/twist and swear until it all fits!!!

It helps to self tapper the wings in place along the inner wing edge as well, this gives you the chance to move them if needed before welding

[grahama]

Damn u Hugh,

Am going to have to brave the elements now and get a shift on, lol

Liking the progress recently, be ready in no time now. I have ordered my print so have to get a shift on.

Any mote paint problems??

Graham

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Awesome!! Been a LONG time this I first visited this. Come on amazingly... just gotta get mine to the same stage now. It's rusted in all the same places, and welding has only just begun.....

[hughJ]

I hate my Mini!!!

Thanks again gents for kind words and help - I tell you I need it! Carlos tonight you will see I am definitely not doing so well. minimuk I will take my time. Forced to! Graham the Rustoleum Combicolor is quite soft, depressingly so. Craig thank you for the comment I sure need it just now.

Shifty I do appreciate that advice. If you read this I am needing more. Help!

I picked up a couple of M10 bolts from Halfords (I know they aren't UNF) to get me going and bolted on the front panel.

Then happily fitted the hinges and bonnet. Horrors - the fit is appalling.



I'll be able to get this back a wee bit more with trial and error but the curvature is different to the heritage screen surround I fitted some time ago.



But at the front - this has the bonnet latch fitted and the bonnet latched - this is the driver's side



And the other side



The bonnet has grown over the last year!!!! Or my Mini has shrunk. I did remove the left hinge and welded it back in after repairs but the right hinge is original.

I had to put the hinge bolt in this hole to get some kind of fit



I have the feeling this is not correct - it should be the top hole

This is the fit at the back near at the scuttle ( sorry bit fuzzy not like super-photographer Graham)







I am sick at heart after this. I hope I don't have to redo the screen surround. I couldn't face it. Or do I weld in 'gussets' to take the inner wings out. Has anyone had to shorten a bonnet?!

Without the bonnet I'm pretty sure I can get all the other panels to fit with a bit of brutality.

Depressing along

Hugh

[Shifty]

Have you fitted the rubber mounts to the front panel?

I usally use m8 bolts for the front panel, gives a bit more wiggle room.

Take a few pictures of the ridge up the centre of the bonnet, it may be a pattern one.

[Shifty]

Looking at it again, the bonnet is fine, but I don't think its sitting centre?

Unbolt it from the hinges and see if it follows the contour better?

The hinges may need bending either left or right to make it sit better.

Also, in the word of "Hitch hikers guide to the Galaxy"

DON'T PANIC!!

First time it never looks like it will fit!!!

[Andrew O]

Im currently at this stage with my Mini ( Take a look at my thread ) and its and absolute nightmare, Theres so many different gaps to get right

[sonikk4]

Hugh you may need to slot the holes on the hinge bracket that's mounted on the bonnet for some extra fore and aft adjustment but like shifty has said make sure you have your front rubber mounts in and yes they are M8 bolts.

Remember Hugh even on the production line no two mini's were alike as each one needed individual tweeking of panels. DON'T PANIC take a deep breath, DO NOT CUT ANYTHING ELSE be patient and think logically and sometimes out of the box.

Walk away have a stiff drink or a cup of tea and then go back to it.

[hughJ]

Shifty and Neil a huge thanks for getting advice to me. I will not cut unless I have to, but trying to find an inch!! I have new poly bushes fitted at the front - nice bright yellow jobs.

Which hole is the hinge bolt supposed to be in?

Thanks Andrew, just had a look at your page.

Hugh

[Carlos W]

I've been trying to find an extra inch for years!

Leave it until the weekend and go back then, every time you get frustrated walk away, then when you get it right you'll have an enormous sense of well being!

[sonikk4]

I'm pretty sure it's the rear most one Hugh. Try that and see if that makes a difference. Take off the trim piece on the bonnet as then you will get a better indication of how it sits with relation to the front panel.